Heating-furnace



(No Model.) A 5 Sheet--Sheet-L F.` PETELBR. "HEATING PURNAGB.

No.593,492. Patented-Nov. 9,1897.

.MINNESOTA W Wedges; fnvenor; l ,Y

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(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

. F. PETELER.

HEATING PURNAGB. No. 593,492. Patented Nov. 9, 1897.

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 3'.

BPETELBR. HEATING FURNACE.

No. 593,492. Patented Nov. 9,1997.

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(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

RPBTBLBm HEATING FURNACB.

No. 593,492. Patented Nov. 9, 1897.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANCIS PETELER, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

HEATING-FURNACE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 593,492, dated November 9, 1897. Application filed February 3, 1897. Serial No. 621,884. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, lEfRANoIsA PETELER, of Minneapolis, county of Hennepin, State of Minnesota., have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Heating-Furnaces, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in furnaces for heating purposes, and such as are adapted for use in dwelling houses, churches, school-houses, and other buildings, whether large or small.

The objects I have in view are to provide a furnace that is simple in construction and therefore inexpensive to manufacture, to provide means for increasing the heating capacity of a furnace without increasing its size,

to provide a furnace in which all the heating-surface is within reach of the flames and products of combustion,` even when there is only a small fire on the grate; further, to provide means whereby the horizontal smoke and heating pipes may be readily cleaned, and, further, to provide means whereby the substantially upright air-tubes may be cleaned andthe ashes and dust that have accumulated upon them dropped into the ash-pan.

To these ends the invention consists generally in the constructions and combinations hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a front elevation of a furnace constructed in accordance with my invention, the ou ter shell or inclosing casing being removed. Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section of the same. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section showing also the outer casing of the furnace. Fig. 4 is a plan View of the furnace with the outer casing removed. Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line Q3 x of Fig. 3.

In the drawings, 1 represents the foundation or bottom of the furnace, which consists of rows of brick preferably laid directly upon the cement or other iioor of the basement or room Where the furnace is located. The floor of the basement forms the bottom of the ash-pit.

2 represents .upright plates forming the back and side walls of the ash-pit and supported upon the foundation 1. These plates may be secured together by rods or bolts or in any other suitable manner.

At the front of the furnace I provide a suitable casting 3, forming the door-frame, which is bolted to the furnace-jacket and is provided with openings over which are arranged the ash-pit door 4. and the fuel-door 5. These doors are of any preferred construction and are preferably provided with openings and with slides 6 and 7, arranged to cover said openings, as shown in Fig. 1. I prefer to provide in connection with the slide of the ash-pit door a suitable bell-crank-operating lever 8, and to this may be connected a suitable chain or wire 9, by which the slide may be operated for regulating the draft of the furnace. This chain or wire 9 may be arranged so that all the dampers in the furnace u and in the cold-air-inlet pipe can be regulated from the first floor of the dwelling.

Arranged upon the walls 2 of the ash-pit is a plate 10, preferably of cast-iron and provided with a flange 11 to engage the upper edge of the walls 2 of the ash-pit, and thereby making a tight joint. The plate 10 is provided with a large central opening, beneath which is arranged the grate 12. The grate 12 consists of. a rectangular frame provided with a number of grate-bars, preferably formed integrally with the frame and parallel with the sides thereof. The grate is supported upon suitable rolls 13, mounted in a bracket 14, secured by bolts to the under side of the baseplate 10. Said bracket is also provided with rollers 15, that are mounted upon vertical axes and which bear upon the edges of the grate 12, and thus keep the same in its proper position, but at the same time permit its free movement during the process of shaking. A rod 16 is connected to the grate 12 in any suitable manner and extends through the casting 19 and the door-frame 3 and is adapted to be engaged by an upright shaker-rod 17, as shown in Fig. 3. The lower end of the rod 17 is inserted into an opening in the end of a bar 18, which is secured to the lower side of the casting 19, as shown in Fig. 8. By this means the grate may be rapidly moved back and forth for the purpose of shaking down the ashes, which drop through the grate into the ash-pit. The casting or frame 19 IOO forms the front of the ash-pit and is provided with the flanged projection 19', which extends across the space between the front of the ash-pit and the door-frame 3 and is securely bolted to a lip or flange 19",'provided on the inner surface of said frame, as shown in Fig. 3. This casting 19 surrounds the lower opening in the door-frame and prevents any gas from passing down through the ashpit into the space between the jacket and the inner casing ofthe furnace. A casting or frame 2O surrounds the upper or fuel door opening in the frame and its outer end is bolted to the inner surface of the door-frame, while its inner end is provided Ywith a flange 2l, that is bolted to a flange 22 upon the baseplate l0 and also to the plate 23, forming aportion of the inner casing of the furnace, as hereinafter described. This front plate 23 is of nearly triangular form and rests upon and is secured to the base-plate l0 and is provided with a'large opening opposite the fueldoor and with two small openings upon either side of the large opening to receive the hotair pipes provided on the front of the firepot. A plate 24, of the same shape as the plate 23, forms the rear wall of the combustion-chamber of the furnace, its lower end being secured to a flange 25 upon the baseplate l() and provided with an opening to receive the cold-air pipe on the rear wall of the fire-pot. At each side of the combustionchamber and supported upon and secured to the base-plate 10 is a substantially rectangular drum 26. Each of these drums is open upon its inner sides, the edges of the front and back walls of the drums being secured by bolts 27 to the front and back plates 23 and 24.

The drums 26 are preferably formed of sheet metal, provided, however, with castmetal heads 27, that are provided with flanges 28, which are riveted to the walls of the drum. The heads 27 are each provided with a series of flanged openings in which are secured the air tubes or flues 20. These llues extend through the drum and open at their upper and lower ends into the space between the walls of the furnace proper and the outer casing hereinafter referred t-o. These air-tubes are preferably arranged in two series in each drum, there being, as shown in Fig. 4, five tubes in the first or the series nearest the fire and four tubes in the second, and the tubes being so arranged that those of one series stand opposite the spaces between the tubes of the other series, so that the products of combustion are obstructed and compelled to pass around the tubes of cach series. Each drum is provided near the upper part of its outer wall with an opening and a flanged collar 30, fitting said opening and adapted to receive another collar 3l upon a horizontal smoke-pipe 32. "lhese smoke-pipes 32, as shown in Fig. l, extend back of the furnace and through its outer casing, and the open end of each pipe is provided with a removable cap 33 to permit the cleaning of the horizontal'pipes 32. A damper 3a is preferably arranged in each pipe 32, said dampers being connected by chains 35, and another chain may be provided leadingto the first floor of the dwelling for the purpose'heretofore described. Pipes 3G, connected to the smoke-pipes 32, lead to a suitable smokepipe 37, that is connected with the chimney.

The upper ends of the drums 2G preferably do not meet and are provided on their inner edges with suitable flanges 40. A plate 3S is supported by the flanges 40 and covers the opening between the upper end of the drums. A filling of fire-clay mortar 39 is placed over the top of a plate 38 and prevents the escape of gas. The lower end of the drum 2G, which rests upon the edge of the base-plate l0, forms a tight joint therewith, thereby preventing the leakage of gas. I prefer to arrange the drums over the fire at the angle shown in Fig. 2, though I do not confine myself to this exact angle.

rlhe fire-pot consists, preferably, of a hollow casting 4l, resting upon the base-plate 10 and extending around three sides of the grate-opening in said base-plate. This firepot may be made in three sections securely bolted together, as shown in Fig. 5. The rear wall of said fire-pot is provided with a cold-air pipe 42, that projects through the inner casing 24 and through which the cold air passes to the interior of the fire-pot. The forward ends of the fire-pot il are provided with the hollow projections or pipes i3, (indicated by dottedV lines in Figs. l and'3 and shown clearly in Fig. 5,) and these projections extend through the inner casing 23 and into the space between the casing 23 and the outer easing or jacket of the furnace. I find that by passing a current of air through the firepot in this way that I can add very materially to the heating capacit-y of the furnace and at the same time prevent the fire-pot from burning out even when subjected to an intense heat. As shown in Fig. 2, I prefer to make the inner wall of the fire-pot next to the fire considerably thicker than the outer wall. The fire-pot is also preferably provided upon its inner wall with a series of small holes il, and above such holes I form lips l5, which prevent the fine coal and ashes from getting into the interior of the lire-pot and at the same time permit a jet of air to pass over the fire to assist in the combustion of the fuel.

The base-plate l() is preferably provided outside of the fire-pot with openings l0, one upon each side of the same, over which are arranged the covers 47. ly removing these covers the soot and ashes that collect on the air-tubes 2f) and the base-plate l0 may bc brushed down and caused to fall through the opening into the ash-pit.

The sides of the fire-pot ll abut against the front plate 23 on each side of the large opening provided therein, and I prefer to provide IIO an inclined plate 49, extending from the lower edge` of the door-opening to the front edge of the grate 12. The lower end of said inclined plate bears against the beveled lower edge of the forward end of the fire-pot and is bolted to suitable ears or anges provided upon the outer edge of the same. With this arrangement I do not need to make any provisions for dumping the grate, as in case the fire goes out or it is desired for any purpose to remove the fuel or clinkers from the fire-pot an ordinary shovel may be employed, and all of the fuel can be quickly shoveled out through the fuel-door.

For the purpose of supplying cold air into the furnace I provide a suitable cold-air iiue or pipe 50, preferably extending directly under the furnace and provided with the open end 5l, arranged directly beneaththe lower ends of the air-tubes 29, as shown in Fig. l. I may also provide a return-pipe 52, extending, for example, from the hall of the house to be heated and leading into the outer casing beneath the lower end of the drum. This return-pipe is for the purpose of taking cold air from the hall in houses that are not properly ventilated. I also arrange in each of the air-tubes 29 a spirally-coiled Wire 53. This coil, preferably of ordinary iron wire, is shorter than the air-tube, so as not to obstruct the opening in the lower end of the same, and lies loosely against the inner wall of the tube, as shown in'Fig. 2. The wire is preferably coiled so that the lower end of the spiral is smaller than its upper end, and the coil is supported in the air-tube by any suitable means. This wire becomes highly heated from being in contact with the wall of the air-tube and very largely increases the radiating-surface of the tube. The air passing through the tube comes in contact with the surface of the Wire and, being slightly retarded by being compelled to pass over the same, becomes very highly heated before it emerges from the upper end of the air-tube.

I provide the straps 56 to-support the hori- Zontal smoke-pipe 32, said straps being con nected at one end to said pipes, while the opposite end is hooked over the upper end of the drums 26.

The outer casing 54 of the furnace is preferably formed of sheet metal and is provided with the usual openings 55, to which the hotair pipes leading to the rooms to be heated are connected. From the foregoing description it will be noted that this furna'ce is extremely simple and cheap in construction. The inclined air-tubes are arranged over the fire-pot, and as the products of combustion must pass between and around them they will become highly heated even though only a small fire is maintained on the grate. In very large furnaces another row of air-tubes may be added, and Where wood is used for fuel no difficulty at all will be experienced in heating the tubes that are some little distance from the fire. With the grate and fire-pot here shown I may burn either hard or soft coal, lignite, or wood. The openings in the inner wall of the fire-pot will supply sufficient heated air directly over the fire to produce a substantially complete combustion of the gases.

As heretofore described, the smoke-pipe 32 and the air-tubes are easily accessible for cleaning purposes, so that the furnace can be quickly and thoroughly cleaned from all the soot and ashes that may accumulate in it from time to time. By closing the dampers provided in the horizontal smoke-pipes 32 the fire maybe keptforalong time, the smoke passing out through the round holes provided in the middle of the dampers, as shown in Fig. 2.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. In a furnace, the combination with the grate, of the drums arranged above the same, each drum comprising heads and a series of air-tubes connecting the same, and being open on one side to permit the products of combustion to pass around said tubes, spirally-coiled wires Within said air-tubes, and smoke-outlets provided in the Walls of said drums, for the purpose set forth.

2. In a furnace, the combination, with the grate, of the inclined drums above the same, each drum comprisinga head and a series of tubes connecting the same, smoke inlets and outlets provided in the walls of said drums and coiled wires suspended within said tubes and resting against the inner walls of the same, for the purpose set forth.

' 3. The combination, in afurnace, with the base-plate, of the inclined drums supported thereon, triangular plates secured to said base-plate and said drums, and forming with the same the inner casing of the furnace, said drums comprising a series of tubes and beingl open on the side next to the fire, to permit the lproducts of combustion to pass around said tubes, and the smoke-outlets provided in the walls of said drums, for the purpose set forth.

4. In a furnace, the combination, with the base-plate and the side and rear walls of the ash-pit supporting the same, of the converging drums supported upon said base-plate and comprising a series of tubes and heads therefor, the grate and fire-potalso supported by said base-plate, said drums being open upon one side to permit the products of combustion to pass freely around said tubes, and outlet-openings provided in the outer walls ofV said drums. l

5. A furnace,comprising an innerand outer casing, a grate and fire-pot, drums Within said inner casing, comprising heads and a series of tubes connecting the same, Wires coiled within said tubes and inlet and outlet openings in the Walls of said drums, for the purpose set forth.

6. In a furnace, the combination, of the IOO base-plate forming the top of the ash-pit, the

grate supported thereby, the drums abovey said grate, said drums being provided Witha series of air-tubes and being open on their inner sides, and the holes provided in said base-plate beneath said air-tubes and means for covering the same, for the purpose set A forth.

7. The combination in a furnace, of the grate, the nre-pot, the drums above said firepot, said drums comprising a series of airtubes, the heads and the casing inclosing three sides of said drums, said tubes being open at each end to permit the free passage of air through the saine, the intake-pipes for discharging cold air into said furnace beneath said drums, and the return-pipe lead- -ing into the furnace-casing beneath one of 

